Where Are They Now? Paul Canoville

Joined from non league Hillingdon Borough and became the first black player in club history when he made his league debut as a substitute against Crystal Palace in April 1982.

Survived the gauntlet of racial abuse to help the club to the Second Division title in 1984, but within two years was sold to Reading for £50,000.

Since retiring at the age of 24 through injury he has survived cancer and drug addiction, became a teaching assistant at a school in Westminster, worked on the Blues education programme and set up a company called Senkaa which starts up youth projects.

Appearances: 103 Goals: 15 (1981-1986)

Career: Chelsea, Reading (1981-1987)

This and over 450 other stories can be found in a new book called ‘Where Are They Now? – Chelsea’. More information, a sample chapter and the chance to buy a copy can be found at www.where-are-they-now.co.uk/chelsea.

For your chance to win a copy of the book, answer us this question; Who was the first player signed after Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea FC? Send your answer along with your name and address to wherearetheynow@thechels.org, and we’ll announce a winner in the coming weeks.

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